Coral Reef Restoration Planning and Visualization

Overview

KVL, in collaboration with KAUST Reefscape Restoration Initiative (KRRI), developed a virtual reality (VR) application prototype that allows coral reef restoration experts to visualize reefs and plan restoration.

Work Summary

KRRI aims to restore and develop coral reefs in the Red Sea by planting corals on a massive scale. One of their experts, Dr. Elizabeth Goergen, initially approached KVL to request for a visualization of coral reefs showing the status before and after restoration. This eventually evolved into a virtual reality application that allows users to plant corals and see their future state after growth. Naturally, the application also allows users to see and explore the reef models, which were acquired from actual reefs and reconstructed via structure from motion technology. The VR prototype is currently a working proof of concept that, in the future, may be developed further for planning, training, or even educational purposes. KVL also collaborates with KRRI in testing and developing technologies for their future plans of handling large-scale data collected from their reef restoration and monitoring efforts.

Impact

This application benefits the efforts of KRRI in restoring and monitoring the reefs of Saudi Arabia.